Are you using wood packaging?

If your consignment is shipped to New Zealand on wooden pallets, or wood has been used to package any part of your consignment, you'll also need to comply with the requirements for importing wood packaging.

Meet biosecurity requirements

Biosecurity requirements are detailed in documents called import health standards. The import health standard (IHS) for fish bait and fish food will tell you what you need to do to import your product. Read it thoroughly to make sure you can comply with all the requirements.

The specific requirements you need to meet for these products are outlined in the IHS.

Meet ACVM requirements for fish food

Fish food and dietary supplements for fish are classed as oral nutritional compounds (ONCs) under the ACVM Act. Many ACVM products have to be registered.

Normally, fish food and dietary supplements for fish are authorised under the ACVM Act by an 'exemption under regulations'. This allows you to import, manufacture, sell, or use the product without registration, if you:

Request a class determination, if needed

You may need to get a class determination letter from MPI confirming that your product is exempt from registration. A fee applies, and you'll need to give the letter to MPI border staff when your goods arrive. This is only needed if the product isn't obviously exempt, for example, if a label suggests the product has a therapeutic effect.

Ask MPI if you're unsure

Prepare documents before your consignment arrives

Make sure you have all the required approvals and documentation before your goods arrive in New Zealand. Documentation issued by the exporting country may be in multiple languages, as long as one is English.

The documents you may need include:

the manufacturer's certificate, if applicable

treatment certificates, if applicable

zoosanitary certificate, if applicable

class determination letter, if required.

The IHS has more information about required documentation.

Comply with on-arrival inspections

Your items and documentation will be inspected by a quarantine officer when your products arrive in New Zealand.

Your product will be cleared for entry into New Zealand when you have:

completed all of the steps and met all of the import health standard (IHS) and Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act (ACVM) requirements

provided the zoosanitary certificate (if needed) and supporting documentation from the exporting country

had your products inspected and given clearance by an MPI quarantine inspector.

If your product doesn't comply on arrival

If your fish food, dietary supplements for fish, or fish bait arrive without meeting the IHS and ACVM requirements, they will be held at the port of arrival. If there is any doubt whether your product is authorised under the ACVM Act, it won't be cleared. Following assessment, the quarantine inspector will advise you to do one of the following:

treat the product

ship the product to another destination

destroy the product

ask for the product to be held until you can confirm it is authorised.